Gordiola
A family glassworks dating back to 1719, beside the road to Manacor in a castle-like building. Watch glassblowers at work downstairs, then explore the collection upstairs.
Gordiola
Gordiola in 30 seconds
The essentials at a glance
- Worth visiting for
- A short visit
- Best for
- You’re travelling on the Ma-15 between Palma and Manacor.
- Best months
- January–June, September–December
- Time to allow
- An hour.
- Without a car
- Hire car recommended
- Parking
- Large free car park in front of the building.
- Keep in mind
- You want to watch glassblowing on a Sunday, when the workshop isn’t working.
- Access
- Pushchairs: Straightforward on the ground floor. · Wheelchairs: The workshop and shop are accessible; the upstairs museum isn’t.
Get a feel for Mallorca. Find your kind of place.
The 20th-century battlements and towers take their inspiration from the Almudaina. Inside, there’s a working craft to discover.
The furnace works through the week, making this a welcome stop on a cold day.
Workshop and display area share the same hall.
Getting to know Gordiola
Does Gordiola suit your plans?
What to expect and what to know before you visit.
Who it suits
- You’re travelling on the Ma-15 between Palma and Manacor.
- You’d like to watch a craft being practised, rather than just see finished objects.
- You’re visiting with children; the furnace and glassblowers hold their attention too.
- You need somewhere to go on a rainy day.
Things to bear in mind
- You want to watch glassblowing on a Sunday, when the workshop isn’t working.
- You want a quiet museum; it also has a sales area.
- You dislike the style of the building.
- You’re coming on a Saturday afternoon to see the glassblowers.
Drive from the airport
25 minutes
22 km
Bus connections
Palma–Manacor services stop in Algaida
Region
Pla de Mallorca
Elevation
180 m
above sea level
Season guide for Gordiola
November Worth a visit
Quiet Open
Worth visiting in January, February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November and December.
Location
Location of Gordiola
- Region
- Pla de Mallorca
- Municipality
- Algaida
- Elevation
- 180 m above sea level
- Airport
- 22 km , around 25 minutes
- Hire car
- recommended
- Worth visiting for
- a brief stop
- Coordinates
- 39.5722,2.9256
About Gordiola
A glassworks beside the Ma-15 between Algaida and Palma, Gordiola is the oldest of its kind still operating on Mallorca. The Gordiola family has made glass since 1719, now in its ninth generation.
The 20th-century building was modelled on Palma’s Almudaina, with battlements, towers and an arcade above the roadside car park. The exterior may look theatrical, but inside there’s a working craft.
The furnace
The ground-floor workshop is open to watch. A glassblower takes a blowpipe, gathers glowing glass from the furnace and makes a finished drinking glass in about ninety seconds, blowing, turning and breaking it free.
You stand three metres away, without a barrier or admission charge. You can feel the heat as far away as the door.
The collection
Upstairs, the collection covers the business’s history and glassmaking more broadly. There are pieces from different countries and centuries, including a whole section of perfume bottles.
The collection and shop run into one another; that’s how the visit is arranged.
When to come
The day of the week matters most. Glassblowers work mornings and afternoons Monday to Friday, and Saturday mornings only. The furnace is cold on Sundays, when you can see the collection and shop but nobody at work.
March and October are most comfortable. July and August bring tour groups, and the area beside the furnace gets crowded and hot.
On a rainy day, this is one of the better inland places to visit.
Photographs
Gordiola in Mallorca
How much time do you have?
Things to do in Gordiola
Three hours
Watch the glassblowers, then explore the upstairs collection before continuing to Algaida or Puig de Randa.
Half a day
Combine it with Algaida, Randa and Santuari de Cura.
A full day
No. An hour is enough here.
On a rainy day
One of the better inland choices, with everything under cover and warmth from the furnace.
Practical details
- Parking
- Large free car park in front of the building.
- Public transport
- Take a bus to Algaida, but the onward walk beside the main road is unpleasant.
- Time to allow
- An hour.
- Good to know
- Glassblowers work mornings and afternoons Monday to Friday, and Saturday mornings only. On Sundays the workshop is cold, leaving the collection and shop to visit.
- Bus
- Palma–Manacor services stop in Algaida.
- Access
- Level workshop floor, with stairs to the upstairs collection. · Pushchairs: Straightforward on the ground floor. · Wheelchairs: The workshop and shop are accessible; the upstairs museum isn’t. · Dogs: Not inside the building.
- What you will not find
- Working glassblowers on Sundays · Accessible upper floor · Separate museum and shop · Peace and quiet in high season
- Coordinates
- 39.5722,2.9256 Google Maps Apple Maps
Within reach
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Distances without a driving time are measured in a straight line. The road journey can be much longer; known driving times are shown alongside.
Places to stay within reach
Explore from here
Your questions answered
Your questions about Gordiola
How long has Gordiola been making glass?
The Gordiola family has made glass since 1719, making this one of the island’s oldest continuously operating craft businesses. The present building beside the Ma-15 is much younger and modelled on Palma’s Almudaina.
Can you watch the glassblowers?
Yes, on the ground floor, without a barrier. They work mornings and afternoons Monday to Friday, and Saturday mornings only. The workshop is cold on Sundays.
What is in the museum?
Upstairs is a large collection covering the business and glassmaking more generally, with objects from different countries and periods, including a whole section of perfume bottles.
Is Gordiola worth visiting in the rain?
Yes. It’s one of the better inland options in poor weather. Everything is under cover and the furnace keeps you warm.
Practical questions
When is the best time to visit Gordiola?
Recommended months: January, February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November, December. On a cold day, the furnace makes this a particularly welcome inland stop.
Is Gordiola worth visiting in July and August?
July: worth considering with some reservations. Usually busy. Tour groups fill the workshop, and the area by the furnace gets crowded and hot. August: worth considering with some reservations. Usually busy.
How far is Gordiola from Palma airport?
About 22 km from Palma airport. Allow roughly 25 minutes by car. Directly beside the Ma-15 between Algaida and Palma, with a large car park in front. The building is hard to miss.
Do I need a hire car for Gordiola?
A car is useful Palma–Manacor services stop in Algaida.
Where can I park in Gordiola?
Large free car park in front of the building.
Can I visit Gordiola with a pushchair or wheelchair?
Level workshop floor, with stairs to the upstairs collection. Pushchairs: Straightforward on the ground floor. Wheelchairs: The workshop and shop are accessible; the upstairs museum isn’t.
Are dogs allowed at Gordiola?
Not inside the building.
Words and photographs: Friedhelm Fischer. Exploring Mallorca since 2013 — by bike, on foot and with a camera.